Letter-writers comment on proposal to place surveillance cameras on Syracuse's Near Westside

Stephen D. Cannerelli/The Post-Standard SYRACUSE POLICE hope to use $125,000 in stimulus money to erect its first police security cameras on the South Geddes Street near Seymour Street. Sam Alharbi, who works at the NY Sports Wear & Sneakers store in the Sakran Plaza, said he likes the idea of having security cameras in the area.

Only the lawbreakers should fear cameras in our neighborhoods
To the Editor:
I don’t understand something: People are shot or shot at, or stabbed, and when the cops ask questions so they can gather evidence to catch the person or persons responsible, some people,especially the victim, tell the cops either very little or nothing.

Then a few days or weeks later, somebody else is shot or stabbed and often it turns out that person was involved in the prior incident.

The people in the neighborhoods where the authorities want to put up cameras are protesting this action because of privacy issues? Please, stop the madness!

You say the police aren’t around and do little to help stop these violent acts from occurring. What planet are you on? Some people have a don’t-talk policy.

What do you expect the police to do when nobody is talking? There are plenty of witnesses to most of these crimes, but hey! Let’s blame inactivity on the part of the police department. Putting cameras up will do more than the so-called people in the neighborhoods are doing.

If people are too scared to talk because they fear they’ll be targeted, then let the cameras do the talking for you so you don’t have to live in fear.

Only people who are breaking the law have anything to fear from being watched by the cameras.

Teri Ruth
East Syracuse

Decision on cameras
came before public debate
To the Editor:
With all the discussion about the proposed installation of surveillance cameras in the City’s Near Westside, it’s important to first remember that we can all agree on one thing: Something needs to be done to keep our neighborhoods safe.

This sentiment was clearly evident at the community meeting hosted by the Near Westside Initiative at the Shonnard Street Boys & Girls Club.

I applaud the representatives from the Syracuse Police Department for engaging residents in a spirited debate on the matter.

Discussion is definitely needed to address our many options.

However, as was mentioned at the meeting, the original grant application for funding was submitted back in mid-2009.

This means it was already predetermined, without substantial input from residents, that cameras are a necessity.

Tremendous progress is being made in the city’s Near Westside.

Most importantly, neighborhood residents are working to find their collective voice.